On Veterans Day, we say thank you to all the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Memorials across the country honor our brave veterans and make sure that we never forget their dedication and sacrifice. Photo of the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. by Scott Thomason (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Just an hour from downtown Washington, D.C., Douglas Point offers a tranquil respite from the rush of the city. Several hiking trails (including part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail) lead through a beautiful hardwood forest to narrow beaches along the Potomac tidewaters. The Bureau of Land Management and the State of Maryland jointly acquired about 1,270 acres of land known as Douglas Point, and it’s one of the last remaining undeveloped tracts along the Potomac River. In addition to connecting nearby residents to the outdoors, Douglas Point offers visitors a chance to learn about the region’s history – close by are a Civil War encampment site of approximately 25,000 troops, archeological sites and the evolving ecosystems of the shipwrecks at Mallow Bay. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management, @mypubliclands

Happy birthday to President Theodore Roosevelt! As President, Roosevelt established 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, five national parks and 18 national monuments on over 230 million acres of public land. His words and actions were a massive contribution to the conservation movement and cemented his legacy as a champion of public lands. Photo of Theodore Roosevelt Island (part of George Washington Memorial Parkway in D.C. and Virginia) by Katherine Scott (www.sharetheexperience.org).

A pivotal moment in American history, the August 28, 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom brought together Civil Rights leaders and supporters in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial to push for change. The culmination of the historic day was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Speaking to a crowd of over 250,000 on the National Mall and millions watching on TV, Dr. King expressed his hope that one day “we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.” Photo of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by National Park Service.

Today marks the 74th anniversary of D-Day. A major turning point in World War II, the Allied landings at Normandy established a foothold in France and helped bring an end to the war the following year. Encountering fierce resistance, American courage won the day at Utah and Omaha beaches and at airborne assault points inland. On June 6 alone, almost 1,500 Americans were killed. Photo of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall & Memorial Parks by National Park Service.

On Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen in the service of our nation. Across the country, memorials, cemeteries and battlefields help remind us of the extraordinary sacrifices made to keep us united and free. All gave some, some gave all. Few places evoke a more powerful connection to the lost than the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. Photo by Christine Jahrsdoerfer (www.sharetheexperience.org).

On the evening of April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about how proud he was to be alive during the Civil Rights movement. Even though his dream of freedom and justice for all had not yet been achieved, Dr. King knew that someday, “we will get to the promised land.” The next evening, 50 years ago today, Dr. King was on his way to another speech when he was struck down by an assassin’s bullet. Though his life was over, his legacy lives on. You can learn more about Dr. King at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Georgia, Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. Photo of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., by the National Park Service.

Happy Presidents’ Day! Tall and dignified, the Washington Monument on the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C., honors our first president, George Washington. Presidents’ Day is still officially “Washington’s Birthday,” but commonly includes Abraham Lincoln’s February 12 birthday in the celebration. Photo by Michelle Holshue (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Join us in celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. From humble beginnings, our 16th President rose to become one of the most influential figures in American history. Learn about his life and legacy at some of our nation’s historic sites: https://www.doi.gov/blog/walk-footsteps-abraham-lincoln. Photo of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall & Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. courtesy of Drew Geraci.